Child and adolescent psychopharmacology at the beginning of the 21st century

Abstract The field of child and adolescent psychopharmacology has been marked by rapid growth since the establishment of the first paediatric hospital in 1802. Serendipitous discoveries, innovative approaches, and off-label use have greatly progressed our understanding of child and adolescent psychiatric conditions. In this chapter, we commence with a historical perspective, describe challenges and unmet needs in youth psychopharmacology, including a proposal on the value of translational platform for innovative treatment approaches based on patients’ unmet needs. Specifically, deeper dive into Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’s (ADHD) triage of symptoms from preclinical and clinical perspectives exemplifies an approach enabling potential for improved individualized patient management. The chapter concludes with a future perspective in which psychopharmacology is deemed to maintain a vital role within a multimodal approach enabling holistic patient care from childhood into adulthood.